Office of Inclusive Excellence Monthly Highlights - June

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month 🧠

 Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 6.7 million Americans over age 65, with Black and Latine populations more likely to go undiagnosed or underserved. Women, who make up two-thirds of those affected, often shoulder the added burden as caregivers. On campus, the Institute for Brain Health and Dementia leads groundbreaking research on cognitive health, aging, and early intervention strategies, emphasizing equity across race, gender, and access.

Caribbean American Heritage Month 🌴

Caribbean Americans have long been leaders in public health and global health equity. Dr. Velma Scantlebury, the first Black female transplant surgeon in the U.S., and Sir George Alleyne, former Director of PAHO, have shaped policy and clinical practice across the diaspora. Yet, Caribbean immigrant communities often face language barriers, immigration-related stressors, and limited healthcare access. At GWU, the Gill-Lebovic Center for Community Health in the Caribbean and Latin America promotes health systems research and cross-cultural public health strategies that serve Caribbean populations both locally and abroad.

Juneteenth ✊🏾

On June 19, 1865, Union troops freed enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay and across Texas some two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American resilience and achievement, while preserving history and community traditions. Black public health pioneers May Edward Chinn who created protocol for cancer probability predictions using family medical history and Joycelyn Elders, a previous Surgeon General who increased screenings and immunizations have increased preventive care. Still, systemic bias, lack of health insurance and lack of access continues to drive disparities in maternal mortality, chronic disease, and data-driven treatment solutions for African Americans.  

Pride Month 🌈

LGBTQIA+ individuals have significantly shaped public health through activism and innovation. Public health pioneers like Dr. Bruce Voeller, who coined the term “AIDS,” Dr. Sara Josephine Baker, the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in public health, and Audre Lorde, who advanced intersectional conversations on race, gender, and also health justice, laid the groundwork for equity-centered care. Yet today, transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary people face escalating legislative threats to their right to access gender-affirming healthcare. Denials of care, discriminatory policies, and a chilling effect on providers place trans lives and well-being at serious risk. Here at GWU, we affirm the identities of our LGBTQIA+ staff, faculty, and students. For more information check out Trans@GW, GWU Hospital's Gender Affirmation Center, and the LGBTQIA+ Resource Lounge 

#GWToDo: Pride Month 2025

Check out GW Today's Article on all of the Pride events happening around DC, especially as the District hosts World Pride, a global celebration, with parades, concerts, history lessons, storytelling, and more!